Bassingbourn at war

Excellent set of photos, thanks for posting

Excellent set of photos, thanks for posting

Thanks for posting Jeepman

Absolutely incredible pictures, not just because of the aircraft that he caught, but he also captures a whole way of life for these guys in that period, something we can very rarely glimpse or relate to.

+ 1 to that

Thanks for posting Jeepman

Absolutely incredible pictures, not just because of the aircraft that he caught, but he also captures a whole way of life for these guys in that period, something we can very rarely glimpse or relate to.

+ 1 to that

Absolutely incredible pictures, not just because of the aircraft that he caught, but he also captures a whole way of life for these guys in that period, something we can very rarely glimpse or relate to.
He was also obviously talented, and accepted as such on the station I would think, judging by how much he could take pictures of, such as the Stirling.
The crashed Vultee Vengeance in A-35 guise is interesting to see.

Absolutely incredible pictures, not just because of the aircraft that he caught, but he also captures a whole way of life for these guys in that period, something we can very rarely glimpse or relate to.
He was also obviously talented, and accepted as such on the station I would think, judging by how much he could take pictures of, such as the Stirling.
The crashed Vultee Vengeance in A-35 guise is interesting to see.

The film from the P-51D gun cameras would fit the US cine cameras. The 339thFG were based at Bassingbourn from Fowlmere due to runway repairs(laying of PSP) 18/01/45 to 05/02/45. One of the 339th personnel must have given camera film to the photographer.

The film from the P-51D gun cameras would fit the US cine cameras. The 339thFG were based at Bassingbourn from Fowlmere due to runway repairs(laying of PSP) 18/01/45 to 05/02/45. One of the 339th personnel must have given camera film to the photographer.

Great photographs,a/c + personal.I thought film was hard to obtain,yet the number he used on the snow scenes and the disant views of the P.51,s not a waste especially to us now but then incredable…

I have heard that film intended for PR aircraft camara’s was cut down, obviously in a darkroom, to the size needed for to fit in ‘personal’ camara’s.

Richard

Great photographs,a/c + personal.I thought film was hard to obtain,yet the number he used on the snow scenes and the disant views of the P.51,s not a waste especially to us now but then incredable…

I have heard that film intended for PR aircraft camara’s was cut down, obviously in a darkroom, to the size needed for to fit in ‘personal’ camara’s.

Richard

Great photographs,a/c + personal.I thought film was hard to obtain,yet the number he used on the snow scenes and the disant views of the P.51,s not a waste especially to us now but then incredable…

Great photographs,a/c + personal.I thought film was hard to obtain,yet the number he used on the snow scenes and the disant views of the P.51,s not a waste especially to us now but then incredable…

Just wondering. He anyone been able to ID the photographer? He is amongst the photos.

Agree it indeed is a great set of photos.

Just wondering. He anyone been able to ID the photographer? He is amongst the photos.

Agree it indeed is a great set of photos.

P51 crash

The crashed P51 did so through engine failure.

quote from ‘Little friends website’

504th Fighter Squadron. P-51D 44-14321 5Q-I/ “B” / “Esther” This is Frank Guernsey’s 5Q-I either reassigned to an as yet unknown pilot or merely recoded from 5Q-I. This belly landing happened at Church Farm, Wendy on 5 February 1945 due to engine failure. Pilot at the time was Lt. Vernon N Barto.

Some other interesting comments and pictures can be found here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49024304@N00/2952058391/in/set-72157608125792619/#comments

P51 crash

The crashed P51 did so through engine failure.

quote from ‘Little friends website’

504th Fighter Squadron. P-51D 44-14321 5Q-I/ “B” / “Esther” This is Frank Guernsey’s 5Q-I either reassigned to an as yet unknown pilot or merely recoded from 5Q-I. This belly landing happened at Church Farm, Wendy on 5 February 1945 due to engine failure. Pilot at the time was Lt. Vernon N Barto.

Some other interesting comments and pictures can be found here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49024304@N00/2952058391/in/set-72157608125792619/#comments

Have you noticed that the Hurricane behind the Lanc has an “M” serial? – so what would it be doing on an USAAF base?

Could it fly with an “M” serial?

Good question. I spotted that one too. 5034M was V7166 originally and judging by it’s history I’d say it was a non-flyer and being used for ground instruction maybe.

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=110

The Stirling seems to have had the rear part of the canopy overpainted as well as having a “/G” suffix to the serial

Note the H2S radar as well? I’m guessing it’s one of the 161 Squadron machines from Tempsford used for low-level Special Ops. stuff like dropping agents and supplies into France. Odd though as the TV codes are from 1660 HCU.

Have you noticed that the Hurricane behind the Lanc has an “M” serial? – so what would it be doing on an USAAF base?

Could it fly with an “M” serial?

Good question. I spotted that one too. 5034M was V7166 originally and judging by it’s history I’d say it was a non-flyer and being used for ground instruction maybe.

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=110

The Stirling seems to have had the rear part of the canopy overpainted as well as having a “/G” suffix to the serial

Note the H2S radar as well? I’m guessing it’s one of the 161 Squadron machines from Tempsford used for low-level Special Ops. stuff like dropping agents and supplies into France. Odd though as the TV codes are from 1660 HCU.

The 8AF had 30 A-35s, initially as target tugs.
These were later assigned to the various bomb and fighter groups as general purpose tugs and base hacks.

I’ll see if I can find my serial number list.

All the best,
PB

The 8AF had 30 A-35s, initially as target tugs.
These were later assigned to the various bomb and fighter groups as general purpose tugs and base hacks.

I’ll see if I can find my serial number list.

All the best,
PB